South Shores have seen record breaking months for both June and July this season. I always plan a trip during July since the surf is flat, but this year it was hard to leave. Fun 2-3 foot waves were the rule for south shores most of the month. There were one or two days with some 5 foot sets coming through, but the consistency was incredible. We haven't seen surf like this on south shores for years now. Even when you are tired, sunburnt and totally surfed out the waves seemed to regenerate themselves day after day with yet one more serge with perfect direction and wind conditions. There were a few days when the wind got real strong this month and kinda ruined the surf, but for the most part it was about as good as it gets for small waves.

The Macys E Series was held on one of the best days all month and during a killer swell which provided perfect waves at Ala Moana Bowl. The contest started in 2-4 foot surf and ended in 3-4 ft surf and I heard that the semi final heat it was so consistent that a 20 wave set came through. Davey Boy Gonsalves was able to score a perfect 10 in that semi final heat and second place in the contest. Flynn Novak claimed the victory by scoring a double barrel on the inside bowl in the final. Jason Shibata was third place and Kaipo Jaquias was fourth. Randall Paulson made semis as well and all who watched were stoked on seeing some of our top Hawaiians rip it up in such a good venue with good waves.


Though most people were pretty stoked to see some of their friends advance in the Macys E Series, contests have become a bit of an annoyance at our beloved Bowls. The Macys was held just 3 days after the Quicksilver Surf Shop contest and the Shaka Longboard Series event was scheduled to start within the same week but had to be rescheduled out about a week due to contest overload at the break. Nonetheless 3 contests in three weeks is too much for one spot  That doesn't even mention all the contests going on elsewhere. During that 3 weeks there were also 2 events held at Queens; the T&C Gromfest one weekend and the China Longboard the next. Both are longstanding and exciting events which gain full support from the community. The T&C Gromfest hosted 200 keiki who surfed in several divisions including invitational air show and a tandem division for keiki and parents. The China Longboard event suffered a break in swell and was somewhat frustrating for competitors but contest directors made up for it by increasing heats to 20 minutes long with less surfers. Banzai Betty will be holding an event at Kewalos for the girls August 16-17 which is presented by professional surfer and skater Gina Wardrop's One Love Surf Shop and hosted by Girls Who Surf. The contest will have amateur divisions and two pro divisions over 2 days and will showcase Carrisa Moore, Aleeza Quizon, Coco Ho and other top women surfers in Hawaii. On the one side of it, the contests in town are great because they are open to the locals and provide a sense of community, but on the other hand it seems to be a little bit out of control when you are having back to back contest weekend after weekend at more than one surf break at a time. Personally, I think some of the specialized events that are not open to the locals should be restricted or it will and already is getting to the point where clubs and groups outside of Hawaii can buy their way into highly localized surf spots by holding surf contests.


Two free SUP clinics were hosted this month by C4 Waterman, Boardworks Hawaii and Blue Planet Surf which is beneficial so long as they are not held at my surf spot. Ha Ha. Check it out at www.boardworkshi.com


Hawaiian Girls dominated in the U.S. Open this month. Wildcard Malia Manuel defeated top contenders to become the youngest competitor to win the competition at the mere age of fourteen. Seventeen yr old Koko Ho clinched the runner up spot at this highly rated event. Meanwhile in Biarritz France, Hawaiian Joy Monahan became the 2008 ASP World Longboard Champion after winning the Roxy Pro Jam. Mark Healey advanced to the final of the Red Bull Big Wave event in South Africa which had some solid waves. Kauai's Koa Smith dominated both his divisions in the NSSA Nationals at Trestles. Australia's Jamie Mitchel won his seventh consecutive victory in the paddleboard race from Molokai to Oahu.


Jellyfish terrorized surfers this month. There were two separate occasions when over 100 stings were reported. A man died fishing by Diamond Head this month. He got sucked out and back into the rocks by a solid set wave. A dead whale washed up somewhere in Kahuku and caused a stir amongst residents who were a bit frustrated that the state would not tend to it. Some think that the military sonar is to be blamed for some of these mysterious whale deaths.

The Honolulu Advertiser staff went on strike this month. Hawaiian Heavywater Magazine is holding it down and becoming the true local magazine in Hawaii featuring several of Hawaii's youth and personalities. With Zack Noyle and Kaz Sano doing the photography, Bernie Baker as an editor and Reid Inoye as owner, the mag has a promising future in the islands to say the least.


The Turtle Bay land purchase seems to be hitting a few roadblocks and there was another hearing in town. Eddie Rothman celebrated his 60th birthday at this years Da Hui party. Comedian Chris Rock played in Honolulu this month and Hawaii is excited about a possible visit by democratic nominee Barack Obama. Bustin Down the Door is playing soon at Dole Cannery in Honolulu with a autographing session by Shaun Thompson and Mark Richards. So far I have heard nothing but great reviews.


Looks like surf is slowing down for the first of August, but hopefully it wont last long!

Lane Davey

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